Matador Network's Blog, page 2166

16 images of Buenos Aires street art

Local and foreign street-art talents are attracted to Buenos Aires by the abundance of blank walls and abandoned buildings, as well as the support and acceptance of the art form by the authorities and local community.

There are very few restrictions on street art, compared to other world-class cities. It is easy to paint: there’s no need to obtain authorization from the local authority to change the appearance of a building — all you need is the consent of the property owner. The results are inspiring.

All photos by Buenos Aires Street Art

1

Buenos Aires has developed a reputation as one of the street art capitals of the world.

Many foreign artists are attracted by the abundance of blank walls and abandoned buildings, as well as the support and acceptance of the art form by the authorities and local community that they might not find in their own cities. The Argentine metropolis has become a top destination for international street artists with the likes of Roa (Belgium) (pictured), Blu (Italy), Aryz (Spain), Jef Aerosol (France), Ron English (USA), Stinkfish (Colombia) and Fintan Magee (Australia) visiting the city to paint murals recently.

2

Foreign artists keep contributing, as the city is more welcoming to street art than others.

Spanish graffiti artist Spok visited Buenos Aires in November 2014 and completed this seven-story high mural of a three-headed hydra in five days with Argentine artist Lean Frizzera. Spok, from Madrid, says there is much more freedom to paint in Argentina. “In Madrid it is almost impossible to paint in the street; less people are doing it and you can receive fines of up to 1000 euros,” he says. “In Buenos Aires, street art and graffiti is valued much more and is more socially acceptable.”

3

The city hosts international street art festivals.

International street-art festivals such as Meeting of Styles held twice in Buenos Aires have helped put the city on the map with foreign artists joining forces with homegrown talent. Argentine street artist Martin Ron created this hyper-realistic sea turtle exploding out of a pipe from a factory wall at Meeting of Styles in 2012. The design features an old man accompanied by his dog with the turtle representing his imagination and memories from his life flashing through his mind. It took Ron four days to paint using brushes and latex paint and has become one of the most iconic murals in the city.

4

Buenos Aires’ street art has become a tourist attraction.

Away from more traditional activities such as visiting Recoleta Cemetery, the Casa Rosada, El Caminito, or watching a tango show or football match, the city’s murals have become a big attraction for foreign tourists. Many photographers and street-art fans also come from all over the world to Buenos Aires just to see its murals.


Guided tours explore some of the city’s different neighborhoods and showcase huge artworks by local and international artists, explaining the stories behind them. Buenos Aires Street Art Tours, for example, offers 3 hours tours four times a week (Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays) for about US$20.

5

Giant murals now color neighborhoods like Villa Urquiza, bringing former abandoned buildings to life.

One of the best neighborhoods to see large-scale murals is Villa Urquiza with huge artworks by the likes of Blu, Martin Ron, Lean Frizzera, El Marian, and Gualicho. Two years ago, Villa Urquiza was a wasteland after hundreds of buildings were demolished during the Argentine military dictatorship (1976-1983) to make way for a new motorway that was never built. These derelict and abandoned buildings became a canvas for street artists and graffiti artists to go and splash their colors on. Italian street artist Blu painted three murals in the area and also made much of his award-winning stop-motion movie Muto here between 2007 and 2008.

6

Quiet residential streets are also full of murals (and history).

Coghlan—next to Villa Urquiza—is also a great neighborhood to see murals by local and international artists. Australian street artist Fintan Magee was in Buenos Aires in January 2014. He was planning to visit Rio de Janeiro but decided to stay to do some more painting and wrapped up four murals in a fortnight. This three-and-a-half story mural on the façade of an architectural design studio is the biggest and is entitled “The Displaced.” It depicts a woman wading through water with a chicken on her back. It relates to the devastating floods in 2011 that ravaged Magee’s home city of Brisbane and also the torrential rains in Buenos Aires in April 2013 that claimed the lives of more than 99 people.

7

Street art invades the underground world as well.

The increase in popularity of urban art has also coincided with the growth of public-art projects, in particular new murals in metro stations. Since 2013, more than a dozen ‘subte’ stations around the city have been transformed by different artists with the idea of improving the spaces for commuters. One of the busiest is Federico Lacroze in the neighbourhood of Chacarita—famous for its huge cemetery where the remains of Argentine tango legend Carlos Gardel lie. In September 2014, nine artists Animalito Land, Ice, Oz Montania, Luxor, El Marian, Jiant, Malegria, and Primo painted spectacular murals along two platforms measuring 110 meters and 90 meters respectively. The designs feature a jungle and a rain forest with animals, plants, and indigenous tribesmen.

8

It is easy to paint walls when all you need is the owner’s consent.

One of the main reasons you see so much street art In Buenos Aires is because it’s easy to paint. There’s no need to obtain authorization from the local authority to change the appearance of a building—all you need is the consent of the property owner. Many owners have a special relationship with artists and are open to having their houses painted particularly if the new artwork covers up unsightly tags, names of football teams, or political propaganda.


Chilean artist Ren was in Buenos Aires to take part in a graffiti festival in October 2014 and found time to paint this mural in Coghlan with consent from local residents Guillermina and José (pictured). Ren specializes in painting birds and animals. Guillermina liked the idea of painting a horse, her daughter Flor fancied a tiger but Ren chose to paint a peacock instead. The family was delighted with how it turned out and said it has added more color and life to their street.

9

And there are almost no restrictions on what you can paint.

Building owners will often pay artists to paint their houses, and local businesses regularly commission artists to decorate their shop fronts and metal shutters. A mural by a well-known international street artist can cost a few thousand dollars depending on the complexity of the artwork and size of the wall. Some artists will sometimes offer to paint a house for free if it is a good wall in a prominent location and the owner covers the cost of the materials. In this case, Alberto (the owner of this house in Villa Urquiza) allowed Ice to paint what he wanted and he chose to paint a samurai battle scene. Pretty much anything goes in terms of the theme as long as the artwork doesn’t offend the neighbors.

10

Property owners and neighbors are included in the picture, creating “espejos urbanos."

Argentine muralist Alfredo Segatori likes to paint buildings featuring portraits of the very people who have given him permission to paint them, and he refers to the style of his artworks as “espejos urbanos” or urban mirrors. He has been painting a mural on one side of this metal factory (above) and it has helped rejuvenate a run-down part of town. It was all painted in aerosol with consent from the factory owner and features portraits of real-life workers from the plant like Ramon (center), neighbors, pets, and even the artist’s son, Teo, with the world in his hand.

11

It is not just guys that are painting…girls are in the scene, too.

In Buenos Aires, there are hundreds of street artists and graffiti artists but it’s not just the men, the chicas are also getting in on the act. Most are between 20 and 35 years old, and a number of artists like Carolina Cuore (pictured) have studied fine art and painting at university. Others are graphic designers or tattoo artists. They all enjoy using the urban landscape as their canvas.

12

There is freedom for politically motivated works.

Italian street artist Blu came to Buenos Aires in 2011 and painted a politically charged mural showing hundreds of people with their eyes covered by one continuous blindfold in the colors of the Argentine flag. However, very few murals by street artists in Argentina are politically motivated. The artists prefer to express themselves in their own way through their art, they have their own unique styles with color and creative energy—painting cartoon characters, animals, monsters, portraits, 3-D cubes, geometric forms, and abstract compositions or traditional graffiti.

13

Argentine icons get re-interpreted over and over again...

Murals depicting famous Argentines such as Che Guevara or Evita can also be found around the city. This mural of “El Che” was painted in San Telmo on Balcarce Street and has the phrase “For love, use a condom." It was painted by the group Fileteadores de Conurbano as part of a campaign to raise awareness about sexually transmitted diseases and the importance of wearing condoms.

14

Including, of course, stencils and murals of futbol legends.

Something would definitely be amiss if there weren’t images of Diego Maradona and football-themed graffiti on the streets. Numerous stencils of “El Dios” can be found around the neighborhood of La Boca and close to La Bombonera stadium and also at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, home to the ex-footballer’s first professional club, Argentinos Juniors in the district of La Paternal. And in Palermo near the Hippodrome you can also see a mural depicting Maradona’s controversial ‘Hand of God' goal.


Stencils of four-time World Footballer of the Year Lionel Messi can be seen around the city but artworks featuring Maradona are easier to find. More street art depicting Messi can also be found in the city of Rosario, where he grew up.

15

New and old culture are mixed together.

Well-known painter Marino Santa Maria has created more than half a dozen colorful portraits of tango legend Carlos Gardel around the neighborhood of Abasto close to where the singer nicknamed ‘the Magician’ and ‘Song thrush’ once lived along Jean Jaures Street. Argentina’s most distinctive musical style, the tango, lives in both queer and traditional milongas, in old-fashioned records and in electronic tango, and now, in many new artworks around the city.

16

Street art spreads to other cities.

The city of Buenos Aires isn’t the only place to find good street art. La Plata, the provincial capital of Buenos Aires, is an urban landscape where there are plenty of walls to paint in run-down areas. Luxor (above) and Acra are two of the best-known artists in La Plata and have painted hundreds of buildings around the city including the walls and courtyards of numerous local schools. The duo also organized an international street art festival in the city in October 2013.

33 lies about Sun Valley, Idaho

Photo courtesy of Sun Valley

1. “There’s nowhere to ski fast on this mountain.”

The Sun Valley Ski Team routinely trains some of the fastest skiers in the country on Baldy’s slopes, and athletes easily break 70mph on their morning speed laps down Warm Springs. If speed on snow is your game, there’s no better place to be in the world.

2. “I can’t find a good place to eat.”

For a small town in the middle of Idaho, the number of high-quality restaurants in Sun Valley is unreal. There are too many to name them all, but my picks include Michel’s Christiania for French food, Konditorei for spätzle, La Cabanita for legit Mexican, and Rickshaw for Asian fusion. Then there’s my all-time favorite sushi bar in the mountains — Sushi on Second. Admittedly this is a biased choice, as I used to roll sushi here, but even after all those years working in the kitchen it’s still my favorite place to eat in town. And no visit to Sun Valley is complete without stopping in at the iconic Pioneer Saloon.

3. “There’s nowhere to party around here.”

Said absolutely no one ever in Sun Valley. From its rowdy mining days in the early 20th century right through to the post-millennial madness of today, the valley has always known how to throw a damn good party.

4. “Groomed runs are boring.”

Groomed runs are often decried as being too easy, or they’re simply used as a way to get around the mountain to better skiing. Not in Sun Valley. Thanks to the nightly efforts of a stellar cat crew driving the very best in high-tech machinery, the groomed run has been elevated to high art, and on many days it’s the star of the show. There’s something truly special about riding Warm Springs (a top-to-bottom run that drops over 3,000 vertical feet in under 3 miles of sustained pitch) at 9am on a crystal clear morning over perfect corduroy.

Photo courtesy of Sun Valley

5. “Isn’t Idaho all potato fields?”

Idaho does indeed grow some of the finest taters in the world, but it’s also home to the largest roadless area in the Lower 48 (Frank-Church River of No Return Wilderness) and — count ‘em — 114 mountain ranges.

6. “This place has no culture.”

Sun Valley has always punched way above its weight in terms of culture — world-class symphonies, jazz festivals, film festivals, art galleries, theater companies, car shows, and concerts are just a small portion of the cultural happenings in town throughout the year.

7. “This mountain is really flat.”

With a vertical drop of 3,400 feet and hardly any flat spots from summit to town, Bald Mountain’s consistent pitch is one of its most prized features. Point your skis or board in any direction off the summit, and gravity will do the rest.

8. “There isn’t much variety on this mountain.”

Along with the consistent pitch, the variety of terrain is nothing short of classic. From expansive groomers to steep technical tree shots, wide bowls, and famous mogul runs like Exhibition and Holiday, all of which can be hit on a single run down, Sun Valley is super diverse.

9. “These views are…all right.”

The panoramic views of the Wood River Valley and surrounding mountain ranges from the top of Baldy are ridiculous. On a clear day, it’s the kind of scenery that forces even the most jaded modern technophile’s jaw to drop. 20+ years in town and the views still make me shake my head.

Photo: Lisa Wood

10. “It’s really hard to get around without a car.”

No car? No problem. During the season, there’s a free bus system that runs every 15 minutes and goes pretty much everywhere you need to go — from your hotel to the mountain, into town, to the grocery store, the restaurants, bars — they’re all steps from a bus stop.

11. “I spent all day waiting in lift lines.”

There’s nothing worse than forking over your hard-earned money on a lift ticket, only to spend the better part of the day waiting in long, chaotic lines. But the combination of Sun Valley’s fleet of high-speed lifts and fewer people on the mountain than at many other resorts equates to an experience that’ll test your leg strength, not your patience.

12. “There’s nothing for our kids to do here.”

Sun Valley is a perfect mountain for families, and the options for kids reads like fantasy. World-class SPT (Snow Park Technologies) park and pipe, tubing and sledding on Dollar Mountain, ice skating rinks, sleigh rides, art classes, movie theaters, a bowling alley, giant hot pools, a top-shelf ski school that specializes in showing kids how to have fun on the mountain…the list goes on. The only problem is getting them to leave.

13. “There’s no good live music here.”

Once again we find the small community of Sun Valley punching above its weight — this time when it comes to live music. From local bands like Old Death Whisper and the Sheep Bridge Jumpers who play rocking local bars and house parties, to large acts like Willie Nelson, the reggae festival Marley in the Mountains, and EDM festival MASSV, and a consistent stream of visiting performers lighting up the stage and dance floor at Whiskey Jacques, there’s live music for all tastes.

14. “These bars aren’t any fun.”

There’s always something cool about a bunch of bars being close together, and it makes cruising from spot to spot on foot the preferred method in Sun Valley, even in the middle of winter. Sample local craft beers at the Sawtooth Brewery, catch the end of the ball game at Lefty’s Bar & Grill, share a schooner with the local crew at Grumpy’s, sip fine wine in front of the fire at the SV Wine Company, play shuffle puck at the Cellar Irish Pub, drink a craft cocktail at Cornerstone, play darts with the ghost of Papa Hemingway in the Sawtooth Club, tear up the dance floor at Whiskey Jacques, or just plain rage at the Casino Club. Pick your poison.

15. “Manmade snow isn’t any good.”

It’s called Sun Valley for a reason, and the high desert climate that creates those endless blue-sky days isn’t always conducive to large amounts of snow. Not to worry — the sprawling state-of-the-art snowmaking system that covers 31% of the valley’s 2,054 skiable acres produces something way more awesome than the bulletproof ice of yesteryear’s manmade snow. Through continuous measurement of temperature and humidity, and a computer system that adjusts to current conditions, the term ‘gunpowder’ is often used to describe the smooth and silky result that keeps the skiing good even during the most brutal dry spells.

16. “There’s nothing to do besides ski.”

Sun Valley ain’t no one-trick winter pony, so when your legs are screaming at you to take a break from the mountain, the options are many. Put those lungs to work on the 100+ miles of Nordic ski trails that crisscross the valley, indulge in a massage and spa treatment, strap on a pair of snowshoes and explore silent winter forests, head over Galena Summit and rent a snowmobile, post up by a giant fireplace with a good book, catch a movie or show…and did I mention this place likes to party?

17. “Where’s the mountain?”

Visible from nearly everywhere, Bald Mountain is the centerpiece that Sun Valley Resort and the town of Ketchum are built around. Getting to the lifts is as easy as jumping on the next bus for a five-minute ride, and getting lost is nearly impossible.

18. “I’m sick of shoveling snow.”

With an average snowfall of 220 inches, every inch is a precious commodity and treated as such. During a good storm cycle, shoveling out the car or front door is met with glee because you know blue-sky days will be back soon enough.

19. “I’m never coming back.”

One of my favorite statistics about Sun Valley is the amount of return visitors. According to the numbers I was able to dig up, 95% of people who visit Sun Valley plan to return, and many make the trip every year. This kind of loyalty speaks volumes about the quality of experience Sun Valley provides — kinda like you’ve been let in on a secret during your first visit.

Photo: Author

20. “What are the Winter Olympics?”

Sun Valley claims a long line of local Winter Olympians, including 1948 Gold medalist Gretchen Fraser, 1984 Silver medalist Christin Cooper, and 1998 Gold medalist Picabo Street. Just last year Sun Valley girl Kaitlyn Farrington brought the Olympic Gold home from Sochi in the Women’s Snowboard Halfpipe, giving the town the perfect excuse to throw a weeklong party.

21. “It takes forever to get from town to the mountain.”

No long shuttle ride or drive up a sketchy mountain pass here. Five minutes on a free bus and you’re at the lifts.

22. “Tuning your skis / board is a waste of time.”

The consistent pitch of Bald Mountain creates a haven for speed, and nothing is worse than trying to harness that speed on dull edges or a sticky base. Some of the finest ski technicians in the world call Sun Valley home, and getting a proper tune on your equipment is essential (and easy).

23. “Nobody interesting lives here.”

From the days of Hemingway furiously banging out the final draft of For Whom the Bell Tolls in room 206 of the Sun Valley Lodge, to the legendary exploits of Steve McQueen, Sun Valley has always attracted interesting people. And given the host of industry magnates, politicians, celebrities, and world-class athletes who spend time in the valley today, you never know who the person sitting next to you on the chairlift might be.

24. “Why did someone pick this place to build a ski resort?”

In the winter of 1935, the Union Pacific Railroad chairman W. Averell Harriman employed Austrian count Felix Schaffgotsch to travel across the Western US in search of the perfect site for a winter resort. The count toured everywhere from Mount Rainier to Yosemite to Jackson Hole, and was about to give up when he by chance decided to check out the area around Ketchum in central Idaho. At Bald Mountain, Schaffgotsch found snowfall, tons of sunshine, no wind, and moderate elevation — in short — the perfect site for a killer ski resort. Seven months later, the original Sun Valley Lodge was born.

25. “There isn’t any good shopping here.”

Galleries, boutiques, hip stores…the variety of places to shop in Ketchum and Sun Valley is insane.

26. “I know exactly what this storm will be like.”

Winter storms are strange beasts. Even with today’s advanced forecasting techniques, predicting their behavior is a difficult game. The storm watching usually begins when an area of low pressure forms in the Northern Pacific and begins its eastern march. Jet streams are analyzed and predictions made, but what happens as that storm makes its way inland from the Pacific is often unpredictable — a storm that was expected to drop 6-12 inches may leave only a dusting, while another one that was supposed to drop just 1-3 inches leaves two feet of fresh snow in its wake.

27. “The locals are so unfriendly.”

Living in a place surrounded by so much natural beauty must rub off on local residents — you’d be hard pressed to find a friendlier group of people than those who call Sun Valley home. Whether they’re born and bred or just arrived for their first winter, everyone’s here because they love it.

Photo: Homini

28. “This place feels overdeveloped.”

Many years ago, some very wise men and women on the Ketchum / Sun Valley city council created a “hillside ordinance” that prohibited the building of any structure on the hillsides and ridgelines throughout the Wood River Valley. While the often-debated ordinance has made real estate scarce, it’s kept unfettered views aplenty. If you’ve ever seen rampant development gobbling up hillsides and ridgelines in mountain towns, Sun Valley is an incredibly refreshing change.

29. “There’s a freeway running through town.”

The Sawtooth Scenic Byway (part of Idaho State Highway 75) does run through town, but it’s a far cry from I-70. Winding its way underneath the Whitecloud and Sawtooth mountain ranges, the 75 follows the Salmon River to its headwaters before climbing over Galena Summit and dropping alongside the Big Wood River, eventually reaching the prairie land of southern Idaho. Just driving the highway is a sweet activity that’s way more likely to provide wildlife sightings and gorgeous views than road rage or traffic jams.

30. “What’s après-ski?”

Nothing in the world beats sharing drinks and stories with friends after a beautiful day on the mountain, and the après-ski tradition in Sun Valley runs generations deep. To see true après in all its glory, head to Warm Springs, or my all-time favorite spot: Apple’s Bar and Grill. It doesn’t really matter how or where you après in Sun Valley, so long as you get in amongst it.

31. “There’s no backcountry around here.”

The secret has been out for quite a while now — central Idaho holds some of the best backcountry ski and snowboard terrain in the world, with five distinct ranges and seemingly endless peaks within striking distance of the resort. Make sure to check in with Sawtooth Avalanche Center for snow conditions, and if you really want to score the best snow possible, hire one of the guides from Sawtooth Mountain Guides to get you out into the goods and home safely and smoothly.

32. “Can you heliski here?”

Sun Valley Heli Ski pioneered American heliskiing in 1966, and has set the standard for the 58 years since. They operate within the largest permit area in the US, covering three mountain ranges and over 750,000 skiable acres for all abilities. They can even pick you and your group up on top of the resort, which makes for what might be the best powder day ever. Just imagine a morning skiing Baldy’s glades and bowls, then the whirlybird swoops you up and into an afternoon of untracked glory runs.

33. “The weather here’s terrible.”

There’s a reason for the name Sun Valley. With around 250 days of sunshine a year, the high desert climate also has an uncanny ability for producing storms that hit at night and are gone by the morning, meaning that the average snowfall of over 220 inches doesn’t interfere much with those 250 clear days. Don’t forget your sunscreen!

This post is proudly produced in partnership with our friends at Sun Valley Resort.

Photo: Author

A trans* guide for safe travels

Photo: Little Orange Crow

As trans* people gain more acceptance in the cultural mainstream, travel is becoming more accessible for our community. Mainstream success means more targeted advertisements and marketing for the trans* community, as exemplified by this past summer, when the first-ever trans* cruise set sail in the Caribbean. While this is great for trans* visibility, there are concerns about safety and privacy.

Recently, the Fort Lauderdale Tourism Association released a study on the wants and needs of trans* people while traveling. According to their research, safety is the biggest determining factor in selecting a vacation destination. The tourism industry has been doing research on gay-and-lesbian travel for years, but this is the first time anyone has taken an in-depth look at the travel needs of the trans* community. Knowing your rights and doing your research are the best ways to be prepared. Below we’ve listed our tips and pointers for having a safe and fun vacation.

1. Get your official documents in order.

To make flight reservations you are required to submit your full name, date of birth, and gender. In order to decrease chances of being delayed by TSA, you should use the information as it appears on your passport or government-issued photo ID. If you no longer look like the picture on your ID, try to get a new copy before you travel. If you can’t get a new copy, carry a note from your doctor explaining why your appearance has changed.

2. Know the rules for traveling with needles.

If you are planning on traveling with needles, syringes, or hormones, you must have proof that they are prescribed. A professional pharmaceutical label and original box must accompany any prescribed medications. Notify the TSA that you are traveling with medication and syringes as prescribed by your doctor. Maintain all of your medical supplies in one bag for easy screening. Ask flight crew to store your hormones in the refrigerator if they are required to be chilled. If that’s not possible, bring a thermos to keep them at a safe temperature. Keep any pills in a safe, dry place and never freeze any of your hormone vials.

3. Know your rights before going through airport security.

Passengers at most airports are asked to go through metal detectors and the Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) booth. AIT is voluntary and travelers may opt out of the imaging process. If you opt out, or one of the machines detects something unusual, you will be required to go through a pat down with a security officer. The officer will match the gender of whatever is stated on your government-issued identification. Many airports are using the Rapiscan Secure 1000. This AIT machine will show the TSA agent an image of your naked body and any binding garments or prosthetics you are using. If you’re selected, you’re entitled to request a private screening. If you opt for the private screening, bring a friend with you. You have the right to speak with a supervisor at anytime during the screening.

If you’ve experienced unprofessional conduct of any kind from a TSA agent, you can file a complaint with the Office of Civil Liberties.

4. Decide what to do with prosthetics.

Travelers should never be asked to remove any article of clothing. This goes for prosthetics as well. TSA agents are not allowed to ask you to remove anything you might be wearing. If you are traveling with a prosthetic in your carry-on luggage, you may ask for a private screening. If you are a transman who packs regularly, make sure your packing piece is free of any metal parts. Also, be aware that a heavily bounded chest can raise concerns because it may appear that the passenger is hiding something underneath the wrap.

5. Choose the right clothing.

You have the right to wear and present yourself in any way that you would like, as long as you don’t obscure your face. Be mindful that some clothing will attract more unwanted and unfair attention than necessary. Clothing with metal built into it will set off the metal detector and create more of a hassle. So try to avoid binders, corsets, bras, and jewelry with metal pieces while traveling.

6. Have a safe-sex game plan before leaving home.

Bringing condoms, lube and other forms of protection with you while traveling is smart practice. If you plan to buy condoms in other countries, be aware that there will be differences and the labeling might be in a different language — making it difficult for you to discern specifics. If you can’t bring your own, do as much research as you can on the products available beforehand. Try to find brands that are approved by the FDA.

7. Research politics and laws ahead of time.

It’s illegal to be gay in 82 countries. The majority of the world does not understand the difference between gender and sexuality. Some trans* people might be identified as LGBT, and therefore denied access into certain countries. Study the laws and policies of the areas you are traveling. No one should be forced to miss out on the wonders of the world based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression. Be mindful of the policies of the country and go with what feels best for you.

A note on sex toys: In some countries, traveling with sexually explicit material can be used as evidence of sex work, which may result in detainment. Trans* people are often unfairly targeted. Be aware that in recent years, there have been several instances where people have used sex toys to victimize LGBT travelers. One couple was the victim of an alleged hate crime by TSA agents and another couple was arrested in Malaysia for being in possession of a sex toy. Keep in mind that traveling with these items is illegal in some countries. So be very cautious and do your homework before crossing borders with anything you think might be questionable.

8. Traveling with friends will increase your safety.

The strength in numbers cliché comes to mind here because it’s true. You are much more likely to feel safe and comfortable if you are traveling with a friend or small group. Try to avoid walking alone after dark. It’s sad that this tip needs to be included but the reality is that walking alone after dark in an unfamiliar place can lead to dangerous outcomes — for anyone. Use your judgment and opt for taking a cab if possible rather than walking solo. Always carry a cell phone, extra cab money, and your emergency-contact information. Tell people where you are going and be mindful while exploring alone.

*Why the asterisk in trans*? Because trans* is one word for a variety of identities (transgender, transsexual, etc.) that are incredibly diverse, but share a common denominator, the prefix trans. Read more here.

25 signs you're culturally Canadian

Photo: Shandi-Lee

1. You can spell Saskatchewan without any help (Sam And Sue Kiss At The Church Hall Every Wednesday After Noon).

2. Your cell phone plan is costing you an arm and a leg.

3. You’ve learnt to embrace fall. You don’t even notice the rain and the grey skies any longer, all you can see is the golden and copper maple-covered hills. Even raking the never-ending layers of leaves has become a pleasure!

4. You get your cheese and booze south of the border.

5. You wear your toque indoors. After hours of wearing it outside, you hair looks like a bird’s nest, so might as well keep it on.

6. You say “eh?” instead of “right?” but you never say “aboot” because that’s a myth.

7. You’ve developed an unhealthy affection for Bubbles from Trailer Park Boys.

8. You got used to the bears hanging around your neighbourhood.

9. You dream of taking the train across the country but each time you look at the rates on the VIA Rail website, you realize you’ll have to think again.

10. You know the difference between Canadian football and American football, but you still hate to stay seated for hours watching a game.

11. You used to be in love with Jian Ghomeshi. You listened to his show every day and always gave a little shiver when he’d say, “Happy Thursday”. Now, he grosses you out.

12. You’ve invested in a bunch of plaid, flannel shirts. Not only are they warm and indestructible, but they give you that great Canadian look that’s all the rage.

13. You know what a “Persian” is. You also know how unhealthy it is, but by God, is it ever good!

14. Your footwear is covered with anti-slip ice cleats 6 months out of the year.

15. You can’t help but point out the Canadians in every American movie you watch.

16. You can’t stand Nickelback.

17. You know that Netflix US is the way to go.

18. Your winter daily workout consists of a feet of snow, a shovel, and a broom.

19. Shelagh Rogers is your cultural adviser.

20. Those new plastic bills drive you crazy — they can’t be folded and they stick together.

21. When it comes to winter weather, you know that the poor people of Saskatoon have it worse than you.

22. You never shop at Roots. It’s an overpriced tourist trap.

23. The cold water of the glacier-fed lakes doesn’t bother you any longer, especially when the thermometer hits 35°C in August.

24. You’ve read most of Alice Munro’s books…but only since she received the Nobel Prize in literature.

25. Your heart pinches and your eyes get wet when you hear the national anthem…In English and in French!

What not to say to a lesbian friend

Photo: Gretchen Ludwig

1. Can I watch?

2. You look just like Shane.

3. I’ll pray for you.

4. Ever hear that joke about the Uhaul?

5. A girl I went to high school with is gay; she lives in Boise. Do you know her?

6. I think lesbians are awesome. It’s dudes I have a problem with.

7. You remind me of Jenny Schechter.

8. What exactly is scissoring?

9. But you’re so pretty!

10. Do you have to dress like a guy?

11. You’d look better with longer hair.

12. I LOVE Ellen.

13. Are you a Melissa Etheridge fan? Coooommmeee tooo my windowwww!

14. If you’re gonna strap it on, why not just date a dude?

15. I hate cats.

16. If your girlfriend looks like a guy, why be gay?

17. Do your parents know?

18. You look like sisters!

19. Is it true that gay kids kill themselves?

20. Have you ever dated a guy though? You just haven’t met the right one.

21. Are you a virgin?

22. I’ve never been to a gay wedding, can I come?

23. Who’s the real mother?

24. When did you become gay?

25. I need some pointers for meeting women.

26. Why do you have to be so dykie?

27. I could turn you.

28. If you’ve never been with a guy, how can you be sure you’re a lesbian?

29. I’m a lesbian trapped inside a man’s body.

30. Who’s the kid’s dad?

31. Were you an athlete in college?

32. Do you think Tegan and Sara do it?

33. Have you ever had real sex?

34. I would have never guessed you were a lesbian, you seem so straight!

35. Is it true they use a turkey baster to inseminate?

36. I would never want my kid to be gay, ya know? Life would be so hard for them.

37. Boys are dumb, maybe I’ll be gay.

38. Can you fix this for me?

39. Everyone has a mother and a father. That’s just science.

40. I’m not homophobic. I just get uncomfortable.

41. What a waste.

42. You look so cute! No homo.

43. This is just a phase.

44. There aren’t any gay people where I’m from.

45. Why isn’t there a Straight Pride Parade?

46. All women are a little gay.

47. Wanna have a threesome with my boyfriend?

48. Are you gonna get gay-married now?

49. Which one of you is the dude?

50. Your lifestyle is your business. You don’t need to talk about it so much though.

51. Do you watch Glee?

52. OH EM GEEZ; I LOVE gay people.

53. Let me be your wingman. I love lesbian bars.

54. Are you attracted to me?

55. That’s so gay.

56. I KNEW IT!

57. Is _____ gay too?

58. Gays getting married is one thing, but having kids? No, just no.

59. I like you. You’re not like those other gays.

60. Are you a Macklemore fan?

61. My boyfriend wouldn’t care if we made out.

62. I cried when Whitney and Sada got married.

63. Would you have sex with yourself?

64. I wish I were gay. My life would be so much easier.

65. Have you ever met a tranny?

66. If I hang out with you, people might think I’m gay too.

67. Did you look at me in the locker room in high school?

68. Were you sexually abused as a child?

69. Why do lesbians hate men?

70. It’s not real sex.

71. Do you wear cherry chapstick?

72. Is your life really like The L Word?

European stereotypes [video]

Post by Axtelera Ray.

If we have learned anything from the never-ending European crisis, it’s how much European countries dislike one another.

While many Americans may perceive Europeans as over-taxed, lazy, cultural snobs, the attitudes of many Europeans about their neighbors can be equally as harsh. And unfair.

Over the past five years there has been much name-calling and finger-pointing as the European Union, which is made up of 28 countries including Britain, sinks deeper and deeper into an economic quagmire.

The response to the crisis — or lack of — has exposed the deep cultural differences between the member states and, for many people, confirmed well-established stereotypes — many of them, not surprisingly, unfavorable — about particular countries.

It’s always helpful if you can blame someone else for your bad situation, particularly if you are a politician. Taking responsibility for a problem suggests you will fix it, and we haven’t seen much evidence of that in Europe.

“The prolonged economic crisis has created centrifugal forces that are pulling European public opinion apart, separating the French from the Germans and the Germans from everyone else,” Pew Research said in a global attitudes survey published last year.

“The southern nations of Spain, Italy and Greece are becoming ever more estranged as evidenced by their frustration with Brussels, Berlin and the perceived unfairness of the economic system.”

While seven out of the eight nations surveyed by Pew consider Germany, which has been leading the response to the crisis, as the “most trustworthy” country in Europe, it’s also perceived as being the least compassionate and most arrogant.

Greece ranked itself as the most trustworthy and Germany as the least trustworthy, which is laughable when you consider the tiny Mediterranean country’s significant role in triggering the crisis.

To better understand how Europeans perceive each other, cartoonist Aleix Salo created a hilarious animation that explains European and British stereotypes about countries in the north, south, east and west of the continent, as well as the UK.

According to Salo, Western Europe still associates Eastern Europe with its communist past. The economy is backward with decrepit infrastructure. The people are unemployed and alcoholics. Oh, and it’s cold.

Not surprisingly, Eastern Europeans have the polar-opposite view of their western neighbors, who they perceive as being over-sexed, under-worked and culturally elitist.

When Southern Europeans look north, they see over-controlling and excessively disciplined countries whose citizens behave like robots and are so bored they want to kill themselves. And they do.

The northern take on the south is pretty simple: A bunch of peasants sitting around yelling unintelligibly at each other.

When the UK looks across at Europe, it sees an over-taxed bureaucratic hell controlled by Brussels that is under the thumb of Russia.

Europeans see the UK as, well, complaining a lot as it threatens to exit the EU. And then doesn’t.

It doesn’t offer much hope for a quick resolution to the crisis.

By Allison Jackson, Global Post

This article is syndicated from GlobalPost.

9 of the best Airbnbs in Barcelona

Around the world, Airbnb has properties ranging from treehouses and small huts in Indonesia to mansions in England. As the company grows, it’s likely that the selection will continue to widen, both in variety of accommodations available and locations in which they can be found. As seen in Barcelona’s Airbnbs, this is occurring more rapidly than many people expected.

Now check out nine of our favorite Airbnbs in Catalonia’s capital.




1

Dream castle

When the listing reads “Property type: Castle”, your eyes might widen. Just a little though – until you see the pictures. With 12 bedrooms and 30 beds, this villa located in Serra de Collserola Natural Park is the optimal accommodation for a (very) large group traveling through Spain. Or someone who likes a lot of space – 150 hectares worth. Sleeping over 30 people, the Valldaura castle even includes a restaurant in its space. With a pool, 2 massive patios, and a terrace, it’s not such a bad place to have a wedding, either.

2

Rooftop pool

Found on Calle Balmes, not far from Rambla de Catalunya, this 300-square-meter duplex contains four bedrooms, three bedrooms, and two kitchens. Why two? Well, one happens to be poolside on the rooftop terrace, ideal for lunch or dinner after going for a swim in the middle of the city. With a modern interior clad in contrasting colors, the apartment makes for an impressive escape from the city’s hustle and bustle without having to leave the city. Imagine that.

3

El Born

Renovated in 2012, the building in which this apartment sits actually dates back to the 1850s. The 160-year-old ceilings, woodwork, and mosaics remain. Sitting in El Born, the apartment makes effective use of both artificial and natural light in combination with bright colors and numerous tones of wood to create a bright atmosphere. Not far from the famous Santa Maria del Mar and the Plaza Santa Maria, the apartment is in a prime location for evening strolls through the street.

4

Garden space

Located on the grounds of an 18th century palace, this apartment’s garden is home to a neoclassical fountain and several benches from which visitors can enjoy the constant sunlight. The eclectic interior, melding modern touches with the old mosaic floors, wooden beams, and frescos, is nothing short of impressive. With an open floor plan, visitors can cook and entertain guests at the same time. Just minutes from several of the city’s main attractions, the complimentary use of two bicycles might turn out to be quite beneficial.

5

Designer loft

Typically, when one uses the word unique, it’s a sort of exaggeration. With this apartment, well, not so much. Utilizing an interesting layout and architecture, the accommodations are sure to keep guests’ eyes wandering at all times. The loft’s “open” floor plan is unlike the typical open floor plans seen in the majority of apartments. The same can be said for the bathroom, which utilizes a large open space and contains a “big walk-in rainforest style shower room.” Staying for a while? A bottle of cava or wine might just be included.

6

Modern charm

Not far from the Plaça de Catalunya, this spacious apartment wouldn’t be out of place on a popular Instagram page or design blog (just look at the dining table and its backdrop if you’re unsure). Located in a Guadi-Modernist building in Eixample that dates back to the 19th century, many of old Barcelona’s features can be seen in the apartment. Recently renovated, the apartment gives off a clean, bright vibe that visitors are sure to enjoy. And a complimentary bottle of Spanish wine? Good thing so many attractions can be reached by walking.

7

Stylish city center

At first glance, this apartment appears to be well kept but plain (and the listing doesn’t state otherwise) – but the devil is in the details. The staircase in the 3-bedroom apartment appears to be suspended by thin metal bars, likely giving many a height-hating guest vertigo over time. With industrial lighting, “hidden” rooms, and several walls with textural patterns, the apartment teaches a lesson in subtlety. And in case you weren’t able to swing that cruise vacation that one year, you might find towel swans in the bedroom if you’re lucky.

8

Colorful escape

Between the art on the walls, backdrops, furniture, and plants, calling this apartment colorful is nothing short of an understatement. Not too far from the metro or bus stop, the apartment is a short walk from several restaurant and shopping options if you don’t feel like making a journey anywhere. The apartment contains 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, making it ideal for a big group. Just don’t throw any parties or make too much commotion after 11pm!

9

Terrace jacuzzi

This apartment contains several terraces, making it difficult for you to decide whether you want to lounge in the sun all day with a drink in hand, relax on the massage table (massage therapist not included), or kick back in the hot tub. Not far from the Gothic Quarter, the well-lit apartment isn’t far from Gaudi’s famous buildings, Casa Milà (also known as La Pedrera) and Casa Batllo. Both are great places to visit, if you ever decide to leave.

Ecuador's amazing flora and fauna

Two hours north of Quito, Ecuador’s capital, my partner Coen and I hit a dirt road, left civilization behind, and entered Ecuador’s cloud forest, an evergreen moist forest that characterizes a large part of the country’s landscape. A gate indicates the entrance to the 3,200-acre Mashpi Reserve, which protects an important part of the Choco Forest that stretches far into Colombia. Eighty percent of this incredible biodiverse forest has already been destroyed and as a result much of the endemic flora and fauna is on the verge of extinction.

Apart from an abundance of plant species, an estimated 500 species of birds (some 35 are endemic) share this home with animals such as monkeys, peccaries, ocelots and anteaters.

Coen and I came to the Mashpi Eco Lodge, which lies in the heart of this reserve, to see hummingbirds, butterflies, and orchids but soon discovered that this cloud forest is much richer than that.

Coen and Karin were guests of the Mashpi Eco Lodge. All photos by Coen Wubbles.

1

Plastic crates

These crates play an important role in the preservation of trails, which in rainforests are often muddy, slippery, and sometimes dangerous. In most cases they are repaired and reinforced using wood or bamboo. One of Mashpi's expedition managers concluded this was a never-ending battle and that having to cut so much wood wasn't, in fact, ecological at all. So he decided to use some 7,000 recycled beverage crates instead. It doesn't look particularly beautiful with edges sticking out, but it is very effective.



The crates will last 150 years, so there's no need to replace them any time soon, and they stop the trail from becoming slippery. But there is more to it. Because of the way the crates are stacked, the weight of each footstep is spread over a large surface, which minimizes the impact on the soil. Instead of the soil becoming so compacted that once the trail is abandoned it will need years to recover (as is the case with regular trails), these trails can recover—when abandoned and the crates dug up—within two or three months.

2

Jaboncillo

Of course, soaps and detergents were used long before technology enabled mankind to produce them synthetically. For example, in Asia the soap nut of the Sapindus is well-known, and during our visits to indigenous people in Brazil we learned they have their own plants that can be used as soap as well. Here, around Mashpi, people have traditionally used the berries of this plant, called jaboncillo, which are rich in saponin.

3

Elephant ear

Around Mashpi the plant is known as rascadera. It grows enormous leaves and is nicknamed 'elephant ear.' It is also called the 'poor man's umbrella' because the leaf hardly ever gets damaged and people in the countryside therefore effectively use it as an umbrella.



You can touch the leaf without a problem, but if it is damaged by you (or an insect), a white, toxic liquid will seep out. This liquid can burn your skin and itches so much that you will scratch your skin open. So, as our local guide José explained, in order to use a leaf as an umbrella you have to cut the stem low enough for the liquid to seep out below your hand.

4

Hummingbirds

Some thirty different hummingbirds have been identified within the reserve, among which endemics such as the Velvet-Purple Coronet and the Brown Inca. At the reserve's hummingbird observation station we admired about a dozen different ones, some with fairy-tale names, such as Purple-Crowned Fairy, Green-Crowned Wood Nymph, Violet-Tailed Sylph.



We struck it lucky and also got to spot a coati, toucans, and several types of tanagers.

5

Flor de campo

Locally they call this flor de campo, which belongs to the genus of Clusia. Flor means flower in Spanish but in fact this is a fruit. It is not edible for people, but it is for certain animals.



People use it as a stamp: when the fruit is cut open it reveals an incredible star-shaped pattern, which is used to decorate fabric.

6

Giant land snails

While hiking to a waterfall, the 85-foot-high observation tower, or the butterfly farm, we came across giant land snails. According to José, who has lived in this forest his entire life, its slime is used to make a facial lotion.



The meat of this snail can weigh up to a pound and is locally eaten as a ceviche. Ecuadorian ceviche typically is a cooked, soupy seafood dish with sliced onion, tomato, lemon, cilantro and salt, and is served with tostada (roasted corn kernels) and chifles (banana chips), but the main ingredient can vary. You can also have a mango ceviche, mushroom ceviche, or as here: a giant land snail ceviche.

7

Blue insect

Thanks to its tropical location, Ecuador has one of the richest insect varieties in the world. Hence we can't really blame our guides when they can't come up with the right names for every single crawling creature we are interested in.



Coen spotted this beautiful creature on his skybike ride and David suspects it may belong to the family of hemiptera, or true bugs.

8

Wasps

A beautiful sight while sky biking along a 655-foot cable among Mashpi Reserve's 100 to 130 foot high treetops: watching how wasps were building a new nest.

9

Red creepers

Another sight seen from the sky bike were these red creepers winding their way among trees, which belong to the Gesneriaceae family.



According to our naturalist guide David, in this reserve red and yellow flowers specifically attract hummingbirds, whereas other colors are more attractive to certain insects.

10

Nocturnal insects

Coen has an incredible eye for detail and spotted this insect with pincers at the end of our nocturnal walk before any of the guides did. David says it is one they don't see very often.

11

Strangler figs

This fig is a hemiephiphyte (URL6), meaning that it begins life as an epiphyte in another tree. Its roots find their way down into the ground, winding themselves around the trunk of its host. Over time the roots will engulf the host tree until the plant, now tree, can stand on its own.

12

Rain frogs

One of the lodge's activities is a nocturnal walk, during which we saw totally different animals than during the day. This little nocturnal frog belongs to the genus of pristimantis and sat dead quiet under the illusion—or in the hope—we wouldn't spot it even though Coen took minutes to properly light it with a lantern in order to take a photo of it.

13

Orchids

One of the reasons for Roque Sevilla, the owner of Mashpi's Eco Lodge and the Reserve, to preserve this area was to protect its abundance of orchids. The reserve is home to hundreds of orchid species, among which many newly discovered ones.



This is one of the tallest orchids in the world and can grow to up to 26 feet. Orchids are the only flowers that have no nectar. They attract the right animals needed for pollination in different ways, depending on the type of orchid.



While this is a nice-smelling orchid, others carry the stench of rotten garbage to attract certain insects. There are even orchids that produce a kind of drug that some insects are attracted to.

14

Animal or plant?

Initially we took this for a young plant, but it wasn't. The guides didn't know its name but José did know not to touch this caterpillar, as it stings.

15

Verbana

José explained that the leaf of this verbana plant has two important medical applications. First, by boiling two liters of water with these leaves down to one, you will get a liquid that you can drink to ward off a severe cough and a sore throat. Second, by extracting the juice from the leaves and drinking it, which is incredibly bitter, local people fight off paludismo—a type of malaria.

16

Quita calzon—paper wasps

While hiking down to the butterfly center, we came across this wasp nest. José calls them 'quita calzon', which can be translated as 'take off your clothes'.



It is a nickname used for these paper wasps because when a nest attacks you, the wasps will get into your clothes and sting all over. You have to remove all your clothes to get rid of them.

17

Army ants

These ants, belonging to the Eciton family, are also called soldier ants. They swarm in such large numbers, up to 200,000, that they can even kill and eat lizards and frogs. Having said that, scorpions, spiders, other ants and beetles are more common food for them.



Indigenous people use the ants to stitch wounds by holding the razor sharp pincers over a cut in the skin and when the ant bites, breaking off the head so the pincers keep the cut together.

18

Spider nest

Not too far from the paper wasp nest we noticed this rolled-up leaf. It looked as if it had naturally curled up until David pointed out that it hadn't.



The owner of this little home, a spider that belongs to the black widow family, had made a nifty nest by rolling up a leaf into a hollow, tube-like shape and keeping the leaf in place by using the strongest natural thread available: its own silk.

19

Walking palm trees

These trees, belonging to the Socratea family, are capable of moving three to four meters in their lifetime, which they do in order to get closer to sunlight.



The trunk is not anchored in the soil, but the tree stands on stilt roots. It can 'walk' by growing new roots on the side it wants to go to and letting the original roots rot away.



The roots are so coarse that people use them as graters.

20

Butterflies

One of the projects at the reserve is the Butterfly Life Center. Here the lodge's resident biologist does research in cooperation with the University of Sheffield to hopefully discover which gene governs the structural colors of a butterfly.



While this is going on behind the scenes (although you can see the biologist's work at the butterfly farm), most visitors focus on the 17 species that flutter freely in the center. The biggest is the owl-eye butterfly but we were most impressed by the glass-winged butterfly.

18 scenic places to teach ESL

1. Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok used to be called the “Venice of the East” thanks to its system of canals, or khlongs. Many have been filled in to create paved roads, but the Khlong Saen Saeb still twists through the city today, along with the Chao Phraya river.

Photo: Stuck in Customs

2. Salvador, Brazil

Rio and São Paolo are the two most popular Brazilian cities when it comes to teaching ESL, but I wouldn’t trade my year in Salvador for anything. According to my co-workers and students, this is the city where Cariocas (Rio natives) come to vacation — that’s how gorgeous the beaches are.

Photo: Danielle Pereira

3. Copán Ruinas, Honduras

Copán Ruinas is on the border of Guatemala close to the archaeological site of Copán. The area includes an acropolis with plazas, buildings, pyramids, staircases, and a ballcourt, along with a system of tunnels underneath.

Photo: Daniel Mennerich

4. Prague, Czech Republic

The Prague Castle, the Dancing House, the Astronomical Clock, and the Prague Metronome at Letná Park are some of my favorite monuments in this city. There are several language schools in Prague, but many ESL teachers choose to go the private-lesson route to avoid the high taxes that come with a school gig.

Photo: Miroslav Petrasko

5. Zanzibar, Tanzania

Hang out in Stone Town, go low-tide fishing, check out the wildlife, maybe hit up the “five-day music, culture, seafood, and booze-fueled party” known as Sauti Za Busara…oh, and teach a little, too.

Photo: Andrea Moroni

6. Jeju Island, Korea

While most hagwon-bound ESL teachers go for Seoul or Busan, Jeju Island has a much more laid-back vibe. Added bonus: sex theme park.

Photo: Iñaki Bolumburu

7. Lagos, Portugal

I’ve been told that many ESL teachers who head to the Algarve start out teaching part-time as a freelancer to gain experience before going for a full-time contract with a school. You might have an easier time finding a job in Lisbon or one of Portugal’s bigger cities, but the beaches in the south could convince you to give towns like Lagos a shot.

Photo: Blinking Idiot

8. Shanghai, China

Shanghai is the largest city proper in the world (by population), so ESL teaching positions are easy to find. The better-paying jobs usually require some sort of certification like the TESOL, but work is available for native English speakers with a bachelor’s degree in any subject.

Photo: Mike Behnken

9. Bali, Indonesia

Most of Indonesia’s Hindus live in this province, and it’s fairly popular with tourists and ESL teachers. Scenery in Bali includes several pilgrimage temples, including the one on Tanah Lot, a rock formation pictured below.

Photo: fabiogis50 AWAY

10. Casablanca, Morocco

Morocco’s largest and most famous city isn’t short on scenery, with miles of coastline, little islands, cathedrals, and mosques. Of course, you’ll have to endure tedious Bogart quotes when you tell your family and friends where you’re heading off to.

Photo: Laura0509

11. Stockholm, Sweden

ESL teaching jobs in Stockholm are competitive. While Stockholm is beautiful, the high cost of living makes it a challenge for most teachers to stay for long.

Photo: Kah-Wai Lin

12. Istanbul, Turkey

“For those seeking ESL teaching work in Istanbul, numerous jobs abound, and can be found simply by walking into the language schools themselves, or by applying with a resume, cover letter, photo, and scanned copy of qualifications and passport over the Internet,” says Matador contributor Emily Hansen. “For aspiring and seasoned travelers, there is no other city that quite captures the glamor of a martini glass, the pizzazz of a belly dancer, and the wild imagination of two continents.”

Photo: maistora

13. Uglich, Russia

Never mind that the name of the town doesn’t exactly sound beautiful in English. Located in western Russia on the Volga River, Uglich is known for its examples of traditional Russian architecture.

Photo: Aleksandr Zykov

14. Valparaiso, Chile

Valpo was named a world heritage site because of its public transportation system. The 16 funicular elevators will probably be a more convenient option for getting to class than the hilly cobblestone streets — and they add a colorful touch to the cityscape.

Photo: DGTX

15. Grand Port, Mauritius

Located over 500 miles east of Madagascar, Mauritius is part of the Mascarene Islands and was created by oceanic volcano eruptions, resulting in mountains, beaches, coral reefs, lagoons, and rivers.

Photo: Jean Marc Lim

16. Crete, Greece

Personally, my reason for teaching ESL in Greece would be the food, but the Byzantine ruins and beaches are probably good reasons, too.

Photo: Oliver Clarke

17. Oaxaca, Mexico

Several Matadorians have based out of Oaxaca over the last few years. There are language schools in Oaxaca City, and if you’re willing to dig in and be resourceful, you might be able to put together a gig in one of the smaller towns, several of which have world-class surf.

Photo: Carlos Adampol Galino

18. Reykjavik, Iceland

With Mount Esja dominating the view to the north and incredible examples of architecture like the Hallgrimskirkja church, Reykjavik is a beautiful (if chilly) place to teach phrasal verbs and idioms.

Photo: Stuck in Customs

This article was originally published on September 3rd, 2012 as an updated version of a 2008 article by Matador contributor Athena Lamberis.

10 things you'll overhear in Dublin

Photo: Kris Krug

“Two for a tenner”

Whether on your way to Croke Park or strolling down Grafton Street, the cry of a 60+ year old Dublin woman is bound to attract your attention. No item is safe, with floozies, punnets of strawberries, and whatever else may have fallen from a delivery van all being offered in multiples of two at low, low prices!

You feel sorry for the amount of effort it took these ladies to convert from the Irish punt to the euro, as “Two for a pound” is still etched in your memory!

“I have a receipt”

You’re at the checkout of Centra, purchasing a much-needed chicken fillet roll, when you see a tracksuit-clad young man gingerly making his way towards the exit without any items visible. The shopkeeper becomes suspicious and confronts said person, but is quickly informed that he does, in fact, possess a receipt, which you know they most certainly do not. The chances of feeding the whole of Dublin with your chicken fillet roll is more probable than this guy having not robbed something!

“That Conor McGregor lad is some animal”

The 26-year-old Dublin native has created a lot of buzz throughout his home county of Dublin, and folks have jumped on the bandwagon. Up until last year the lads singing his praises barely knew what MMA stood for, and their knowledge of martial arts was seeing a few slaps thrown outside Coppers on a Saturday night. In the space of a few fights in the UFC, thousands of experts have emerged throughout Dublin, and they all offer deep insight into who they think McGregor should face next and how he should approach his training. All this while sporting the best Penny’s suit, and the finest haircut their dole money could buy!

“I can’t, I have a 9 o’clock”

The most heard excuse for not doing anything exciting across Dublin campuses. Having a dreaded 9 o’clock lecture, or worse, lab, means you’ve either missed the chance to carefully select your classes based on the preferable post-lunch timetable, or you’re taking a course other than Arts in UCD. Well, you’re only in college for as long as you can afford so hit up the Big Tree, chat up a few nurses, and battle through your death-like hangover the next day. 30-year-old you will thank you for it years later.

“Morto”

In making regrettable decisions, your young female friend is incredibly embarrassed. Rather than wasting extra breath on a word with three syllables (“mortified”), females of Dublin have found a way to save both the speaker and listener time and effort by shortening it down to “morto.” Dublin teenagers: innovating the English language since the advent of Bebo.

“Going for a cheeky Starbucks?”

First off, there’s very little cheekiness in having one of the most overrated coffees in the land. Nowadays the Starbucks to-go cup is treated like another fashion accessory for those walking down the shopping streets of the city. The image of a heavily coated young woman hunched over, clutching to every last degree of warmth evaporating from her chalice is a sight we are all too familiar seeing.

“I was trollied”

You’ve heard it from the lad suited up walking down Grafton Street on his way to work. On his iPhone 6, he informs the person on the end of the line that he is “trollied” from the night before! Still lives his life like a college student except now he’s making business deals instead of trying to get the shift on a Wednesday night. For the sake of this new business venture, alcohol was required to schmooze with the client and the result is an unforgiving hangover.

“Did ya see Love/Hate last night?!”

The most popular RTE show since The Angelus, Love/Hate is the talk of Dublin city every Monday morning. No matter what your social background is, it seems everyone is united in their love of the show. At least now you can tolerate what the scumbag at the back of the bus is talking about, especially as they’re probably more educated on gangland crime than you.

“Five euros, Pennies.”

Stating the price of your latest wardrobe addition and where you purchased said item is the norm in Dublin. With Pennies being the unheralded king of discount brands, it offers huge appeal to both genders of the capital. Lads frequent the store to prepare for holidays in the sun by buying as many offense-laden t-shirts they can afford on a 50 euro budget. Girls, on the other hand, can stretch every penny and have the ability to look like runway models upon exiting the premises. So the next time you see a lad wearing a shirt that stating that his penis is “a legend,” standing next to a bombshell model, you’ll know they’ve probably been to Pennies.

“Are you getting on or not?”

Dublin Bus has a strong belief in employing some of the most bitter and obnoxious people on the island. Impatience and dishing out ignorant remarks must be on their job description because they do it with ease. Any question asked of them is answered with a sigh of astonishment, wondering how someone like you could have been born ignorant of the exact stops of the 66 bus. Don’t dare hesitate in getting on a bus, as you will be angrily asked “Are you getting on or not?” No matter your decision, the doors are getting closed behind your arse or right in front of your face whether you like it or not!